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Rating: 
Summary: first serious attempt to document tattoo culture 1950-1965
Review: Academics get tired too but most don't do a 180 turn and join subcultures that seem completely opposed to their previous community. Samuel Steward became a tattoo artist but kept his scholarly mind working as he did so upon the urging of Kinsey, yes, that Alfred Kinsey. The result many years later is this book. Part history, part personal recollection, and part social sciences, this is an interesting and easy to read book. If you don't except detailed interviews with people or rigorous research protocols you won't be disappointed. I think the first half of the book which focuses on what he observed is much better than the second more "historical" half. It could use photos and a better spine to hold the book together.
Rating: 
Summary: Steer clear: an amateur work
Review: As a scholar of what might be called outsiders, I was eager to read this work on tatooing. But the scholarship here is hackneyed and unprofessional. His sources are scattered and incomplete and his discussion is of similar quality. Given the excellent quality of research being done on this topic, this book falls into a dont-bother-with category.
Rating:
Summary: Steer clear: an amateur work
Review: As a scholar of what might be called outsiders, I was eager to read this work on tatooing. But the scholarship here is hackneyed and unprofessional. His sources are scattered and incomplete and his discussion is of similar quality. Given the excellent quality of research being done on this topic, this book falls into a dont-bother-with category.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating look at a sub-culture
Review: Back when Sam Steward (aka, Phil Andros or Phil Sparrow, author of gay erotica) was tattoing people in his parlor on south State Street in Chicago, the tattoo sub-culture was very different from what it is today. Certainly the reasons for tattooing haven't changed substantially, but in the last decade or so it's become not only socially acceptable, but a kind of fashion statement for many people.Not so in the fifties and early sixties when a tattoo was a sign that you belonged to a certain class. Women didn't get tattooed at all (I met a girl on a train about a twenty years ago who confessed that her tattoo showing under the lace of her wedding dress made her feel like a tramp.) and the men who did were tough guys, or living within some sort of society where they were an accepted part of life. Steward not only tattooed these men, he studied them, talked to them and learned the reasons why they'd chosen to decorate their bodies in certain ways. He investigated the sexuality inherent in tattooing as well as the social issues. He is not a disinterested observer, nor has he written an objective study. But what he gives us is probably far more interesting in its intimacy. While there is probably information applicable to the current tattoo culture in the US, this book really is dated. It's fascinating for students of the time, and of the milieus he discusses, but won't be right for everyone.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating look at a sub-culture
Review: Back when Sam Steward (aka, Phil Andros or Phil Sparrow, author of gay erotica) was tattoing people in his parlor on south State Street in Chicago, the tattoo sub-culture was very different from what it is today. Certainly the reasons for tattooing haven't changed substantially, but in the last decade or so it's become not only socially acceptable, but a kind of fashion statement for many people. Not so in the fifties and early sixties when a tattoo was a sign that you belonged to a certain class. Women didn't get tattooed at all (I met a girl on a train about a twenty years ago who confessed that her tattoo showing under the lace of her wedding dress made her feel like a tramp.) and the men who did were tough guys, or living within some sort of society where they were an accepted part of life. Steward not only tattooed these men, he studied them, talked to them and learned the reasons why they'd chosen to decorate their bodies in certain ways. He investigated the sexuality inherent in tattooing as well as the social issues. He is not a disinterested observer, nor has he written an objective study. But what he gives us is probably far more interesting in its intimacy. While there is probably information applicable to the current tattoo culture in the US, this book really is dated. It's fascinating for students of the time, and of the milieus he discusses, but won't be right for everyone.
Rating: 
Summary: What a Read
Review: Having 4 tattoo's applied last year at the ripe young age of 50, I was fascinated by this book. Tattoo's in the 50's & 60's apparently were taboo except for the underbelly of life. Looking at how they are accepted today as opposed to then is astounding. The syndicate was even involved in the 50's. The book actually had me laughing out loud at some of the situations this highly educated man faced when he gave up teaching English at a major university and took up tattooing. If you have any interest in tattoo's be sure to purchas this one.
Rating:
Summary: What a Read
Review: Having 4 tattoo's applied last year at the ripe young age of 50, I was fascinated by this book. Tattoo's in the 50's & 60's apparently were taboo except for the underbelly of life. Looking at how they are accepted today as opposed to then is astounding. The syndicate was even involved in the 50's. The book actually had me laughing out loud at some of the situations this highly educated man faced when he gave up teaching English at a major university and took up tattooing. If you have any interest in tattoo's be sure to purchas this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Not bad, but shy of having the weight it should
Review: This book is well done, is based on a lot of experience and touches on important points. The author is a retired university English prof turned tattoo artist. For someone looking at sociology of the body or anthropology, it may not have the same weight as if it was authored by someone with a background in the above disciplines. Nevertheless, it is a good starting point and has a good bibliography. For a tattoo artist or enthusiast, it is an interesting read, but doesn't have pictures of the work described in the book.
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